KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- Trading volume for the domestic derivatives retail segment grew by 31 per cent in the first ten months of this year compared to last year, according to Bursa Malaysia.

"What we have achieved in the short span of time is encouraging, 2011 has been a very good year for our derivatives business," said its chief executive officer Datuk Tajuddin Atan in his welcome remarks at the appreciation dinner for Talk Futures participating brokers on Monday.

Tajuddin, who is also Bursa Malaysia Derivatives (BMD) chairman, said the successful organisation of the roadshows has been one of the contributory factors.

"We aim to reach more potential futures traders next year," he said.

The second installment of the roadshows commenced in June and will conclude at the end of December.

To date, 75 roadshows have been conducted in 26 locations nationwide, reaching approximately 3,000 people.

The participating brokers feted for their participation and contribution to the Talk Futures roadshows were AmFutures Sdn Bhd, CIMB Futures Sdn Bhd, ECM Libra Investment Bank Bhd, Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd, IF Derivatives Sdn Bhd, Inter-Pacific Securities Sdn Bhd, LT International Futures (M) Sdn Bhd, Oriental Pacific Futures Sdn Bhd, OSK Investment Bank Bhd, Phillip Futures Sdn Bhd and TA Futures Sdn Bhd.

The Talk Futures educational series, aimed at creating a class of investors equipped with the knowledge of trading in equity, commodity and financial futures, is part of BMD's retail investment programme aimed primarily at encouraging greater retail participation in the derivatives market.

The roadshows, organised in collaboration with the futures broking industry, highlight derivatives trading opportunities in the current volatile market environment as well as the use of trading strategies and tools to assist traders in making informed decisions.